(KPL) Khammuan Province hosted today the official launch ceremony of the Fifth Lao Population and Housing Census, presided over by Mr. Vanxay Phongsavanh, Governor of Khammuan Province and Head of the Provincial Steering Committee for the 2025 Census.

The event was attended by Ms. Phonesaly Souksavath, Head of the Lao Statistics Bureau, alongside representatives from relevant departments and sectors.

In his remarks, Mr. Vanxay Phongsavanh emphasized that population and housing censuses are a critical tool for nations and regions worldwide, conducted every 10 years under United Nations guidelines.

The Lao PDR has carried out four nationwide censuses since 1985, with the most recent in 2015 revealing Khammuan Province’s population growth rate of 1.5%, totalling 329,000 residents. Projections estimate the province’s population will reach 460,226 by 2025 and 573,196 by 2035.

The 2025 census holds particular significance as it will provide vital statistical data to assess progress toward national development goals, analyze current and future demographic shifts, and address challenges such as birth and death rates, employment, migration, access to education and healthcare, and housing quality. These factors are crucial for shaping policies to reduce poverty, balance labour markets, enhance human resource development, and manage urbanization amid rising population density.

Mr. Vanxay called on all ethnic groups, domestic and overseas residents, civil servants, military personnel, police, business owners, and foreign nationals in Khammuan Province to actively support and cooperate with census efforts.

He urged local authorities to prioritize smooth coordination with national defence and security forces to ensure success during the census process.

“The census data will directly inform infrastructure planning, public service delivery, and sustainable development strategies,” he stated. “We must work collectively to achieve accurate results and maintain security throughout the survey period.”

KPL